After the UK government announced that Portugal had been changed in status will be added to Great Britain’s ‘amber list’ on 8th June, huge lines formed at Portugal’s Faro Airport, as British tourists rushed home from their Portuguese vacations before the new mandatory quarantine rules set in, requiring quarantine for 10 days at home upon return.
Tourists reported the “total chaos” as thousands of Brits tried to obtain the required COVID-19 tests before departure, with some people still checking in just minutes before their flights were scheduled to leave. According to reports, 10,000 Brits tried to leave Portugal from Faro Airport on Saturday alone.
Amber listed countries and territories include Thailand, which means that British subjects who travel to visit Phuket next month, as the Thai ‘sandbox’ destination, are also required to ‘home quarantine’ on return until that status changes to ‘green’.
Many other countries have similar requirements, without vaccination exemptions.
The requirements for those who have been in an amber country or territory in the 10 days before arrival in England; including those who have been vaccinated, are as follows.
Before travelling to England:
take a COVID-19 test
book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 travel tests – to be taken after arrival in England
complete a passenger locator form
On arrival in England:
quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days
take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8
Read about quarantine and taking COVID-19 tests.
Children aged 4 and under do not need to take the day 2 or day 8 test.
